LO-groep ploeg terug

Die liggaamsoefeninggroep wat op 'n Maandag, Woensdag en Vrydag om 07:30 o.l.v. Rina Steynberg (E105) in die Lapa hulle lywe probeer (?!) soepel hou, het onlangs besluit om so dan en wan ‘n geldjie in ‘n boksie te plaas wat aan die plaaslike tak van die Kankervereniging van Suid-Afrika geskenk word. Tot dusver het die groep meer as R1 600 ingesamel.

Hou daai lywe soepel!

Só ploeg hulle met dankbaarheid ‘n ietsie terug; enersyds vir die goeie diens wat KANSA in die gemeenskap lewer en andersyds dat hulle op hul ouderdom nog steeds soos jonger mense kan bokspring!

Indigenous tree of the month (7)

As indicated previously, each month we will provide information about the indigenous trees that occur in our village. The purpose is not only to inform, but also to encourage residents to dedicate themselves to their conservation.

This month we feature the Bushveld Gardenia (Harpephylum caffrum). It is also known as the White Gardenia.

PHILIP VAN DEN BERG (U 34) writes: Bushveld gardenias are endemic to the low-lying bushveld areas of Southern Africa. It is a shrub or small tree with light-grey trunk and branches. The canopy is densely twiggy.

There are quite a number of Bushveld Gardenias growing in the grounds of Warmbad Renaissance. A striking specimen may be seen at U40, close to the entrance gate.

The Bushveld Gardenia growing in front of U40

This selfsame tree was decorated and used as a Christmas tree in 1991. Residents may recall that Warmbad Renaissance was established in April 1991.

Christmas 1991

Bushveld Gardenias flower profusely in early spring. Sometimes the flowers even appear before the leaves.

The white flowers have long tubes and are very fragrant. They are short-lived and turn yellow after a while. Hawk moths are the main pollinators.

A Bushveld Gardenia flower

Hawk moths are the main pollinators

The fruit are egg-shaped with ridges and remain on the plant for a very long time if not browsed by animals.

Bearing fruit

Bushveld gardenias are excellent plants for gardens as they are hardy and do not grow too big for smaller gardens. They can even be used for hedges. 

Inwoners verdien 'n klop op die skouer

Ondanks die huidige waterskaarste, doen die meeste inwoners baie moeite om hulle tuine te versorg. Só dra hulle veel by tot die netjiese voorkoms van ons oord.

Hieronder verskyn enkele foto’s ter illustrasie hiervan.

Chris en Liz Snyders (E97) se tuin

Anna van Rensburg (E74) s'n

"With the onset of spring, I am calm again" - Gustav Mahler

The late Robin Williams was fond of saying, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party.'”

As the following pictures show, the Social Action Group recently responded to his call and provided a marvellous Bushveld Breakfast in celebration of the onset of spring.

Residents helping themselves to the tasty dishes

New residents joined in the festivities. They are (standing, f.l.t.r.) Philip van den Berg, Steve van der Merwe and Klaus Kirchner. Seated (f.l.t.r.) are Georgia Kirchner, Bella van Zyl, Ingrid van den Berg, Sarie Smit, Hester Breet, Marthie Bonnema, and Felicity van der Merwe

Fanie en Dalene Seymore verhuis vanaf Kemptonpark na Bela-Bela

Fanie (65) en Dalene (65) Seymore het onlangs hulle intrek in E53 geneem. Hulle het voorheen op Kemptonpark gewoon.

Dalene is op Brakpan gebore en het in 1970 haar skoolopleiding  aan die Hoërskool vir Kuns, Musiek en Ballet in Pretoria voltooi. Daarna het sy as ‘n verpleegkundige by die H F Verwoerd Hospitaal gekwalifiseer. Die nagdienswerkery by hospitale het haar egter min geval en, nadat sy bedank het, het sy poste by verskeie spesialiste beklee, o.m. by ‘n gastro-enteroloog.

Fanie is in Zeerust gebore en getoë. Hy het in 1970 matriek aan die Hoërskool Zeerust behaal. Hierna het hy ‘n vakleerlingskap as ‘n elektro-meganikus (millwright) by Yskor in Pretoria voltooi. In hierdie hoedanigheid was hy verantwoordelik vir die installasie en instandhoudig van elektriese toerusting. Hy het hom egter mettertyd as ‘n tegniese tekenaar bekwaam. In 1983 het hy ‘n pos by Eskom aanvaar waar hy tot sy uittrede gewerk het.

Die Seymores het pas ‘n droogskoonmakery op Modimolle en ‘n wassery op Bela-Bela aangeskaf. Hulle sê dat hulle tot dusver hulle verblyf in die Bosveld geniet. Hulle voel tuis en veilig in ons oord en het reeds ‘n aantal aangename inwoners ontmoet.

Fanie en Dalene is in 1974 in Waverley getroud. Hulle het een dogter en drie kleinkinders op wie hulle versot is.

They exchanged one Renaissance Retirement Village for another

Klaus (74) and Georgia (72) Kirchner have recently moved from Glenvista Renaissance to Warmbad Renaissance after purchasing Unit 36. Glenvista is a suburb to the south of Johannesburg. They are pleased with their move away from the hustle and bustle of the big city to the beauty and solitude of the Bushveld.

Georgia was born in Pienaarsrivier, outside Bela-Bela, where her parents owned a hotel. She attended a Catholic school at Potgietersrust (now known as Mokopane). She fondly remembers spending many happy hours growing up at Warmbad, as Bela-Bela was then known.

After completing her education, she joined the Department of Labour in Pretoria where she worked as a clerk.

Klaus was born in a part of Germany that would later became East Germany after the Russians occupied the area during WW2. His father did not subscribe to communism and moved to West Germany. The rest of the family followed him in 1954 and settled in the city of Mainz. Here Klaus became an electro-technician before emigrating to South Africa in 1969 to join the Schindler Group, installing escalators, elevators, and moving walkways.

Klaus and Georgia met in Pretoria, fell in love, got married in 1970 and moved to Cape Town. They have two daughters and three grandchildren who live in England.

Georgia is a competent artist and enjoys cooking and baking, while Klaus is a keen golfer.

Indigenous tree of the month (6)

As indicated previously, we will provide information during the next few months about the indigenous trees that occur in our village. The purpose is not only to inform, but also to encourage residents to dedicate themselves to their conservation.

This edition features the Sausage tree (Kigelia africana).

PHILIP VAN DEN BERG (U34) writes: Sausage trees are widespread in the tropical areas of Africa. They are large with low-branching trunks and dense, rounded canopies that remain green throughout the year in most areas. During winter they appear like isolated green islands in an otherwise dry and drab environment.

Sausage tree are large and remain green throughout the year

The few specimens growing in our village or along streets in the vicinity are rather small and stunted, mainly because the soil is not as deep and fertile as the alluvial soil sausage trees prefer.

Sausage trees flower for a long period during springtime. The spectacular, prominent dark red flowers hang down from branches on long flexible stems and attract some birds and insects during the day. The main pollinators, however, seem to be bats that are attracted by their scent that is most notable at night.

The flowers are dark red and hang on long flexible stems

A variety of animals relish the flowers. Impala, and browsers such as kudu, nyala, bushbuck and giraffe, are attracted to the flowering trees.

An impala feeding on a flower

The seeds that are produced after flowering remain on the tree for a very long time and ripe fruit start falling from May through to April the next year. They are huge and sausage-like and weigh up to 10 kg. Parking under a fruiting tree is not advised!

The seeds are large and sausage-like

The fresh fruit is not fit for human consumption, but it can be eaten after roasting the dry seeds or for brewing beer. The wood is widely used by indigenous people to make canoes, oars, utensils and yokes.